Ford is offering a low-CO2 version of its Mondeo Titanium in a bid to win over user choosers who want an up-market looking model with lower tax bills.
Using the same version of the 115bhp diesel engine as as in the 2.0 TDCi ECOnetic, the Titanium version has a more lavish equipment list.
Additional equipment over the 2.0 TDCi ECOnetic includes electric rear windows, automatic headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers, front seat lumbar support, sports front seats, leather covered gearknob and handbrake, electric folding door mirrors and puddle lights and rear air conditioning vents.
Compared with the standard 2.0 TDCi Titanium, CO2 emissions are reduced to 139g/km instead of 154g/km, so despite its on-the-road price being slightly higher than the 140bhp car, the ECOnetic offers reduced BIK tax bills.
Annual benefit-in-kind tax on the low-CO2 Titanium hatchback for a higher rate taxpayer would be £1665 during 2009/10 increasing to £1757 in 2010/11, as a result of its 18 per cent tax band, rising to 19 per cent in April 2010.
A standard 2.0 TDCi Titanium hatchback attracts BIK tax at 21 per cent during 2009/10, rising to 22 per cent for 2010/11, meaning a higher rate tax payer would face an annual bill of £1927 pro rata for the remainder of the current tax year, reaching £2019 a year in April 2010.
Although the standard version runs on 16-inch alloy wheels, 17-inch alloys are available as an option.
The 115bhp Titanium hatchback reaches 60mph from rest in 10.9 seconds (estate: 11.1 seconds), and produces 236lb-ft of torque from 1750-2300rpm.
Price for the hatchback is £23,295 on the road, while the estate version is £24,545.